Player Updates

Hampson remains out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Brewers, Kyle Newman of The Denver Post reports.

Daniel Murphy's return from the injured list last week seems to have firmly closed the door on Hampson handling a full-time role, at least for the time being. The speedy rookie will find himself on the bench for the ninth time in 10 games.

Hampson will start at second base and bat seventh Saturday against the Phillies, Kyle Newman of The Denver Post reports.

Hampson had a five-game run as the Rockies' No. 2 hitter from April 12 through 16, but he's dropped to the bottom half of the order since David Dahl (abdomen) was activated from the injured list. While the move down the lineup might hinder Hampson's run-scoring potential, the rookie at least still possesses a clear path to an everyday role and is finally beginning to hit his stride at the plate. He has recorded hits in all but two of his last 11 starts.

Hampson went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, a walk, a stolen base and three RBI to help Colorado to an 8-2 victory over the Padres on Tuesday.

Getting the start in center field with Ian Desmond out with a sore leg, Hampson put in easily his best offensive effort of the season, bagging his first homer of the campaign with a seventh-inning solo shot off Adam Warren. He had been scuffling to start the season, but Hampson has now hit safely in seven straight to bring his average up to .200, and he should continue to see at least semi-regular at-bats for now with the Rockies currently struggling with a few injuries.

The 24-year-old was struggling mightily to start the season with just three hits in his first 24 at-bats, but he was finally able to post a multi-hit performance, albeit during a game in which his team was shut out by Jeff Samardzija. Hampson will look to keep it going and start pumping his average up back toward the .275 mark he posted in his 24 big-league games last year, but at this point he's still best left on waiver wires in shallower formats until he shows signs of doing so.

Hampson is starting at second base and hitting seventh for the Rockies' tilt against the Dodgers on Friday.

Hampson is just 1-for-17 with seven strikeouts to start the season, but he'll get a chance to get on track in this contest as he'll start Colorado's home opener against the Dodgers and starter Kenta Maeda. The 24-year-old hit .275 over 40 at-bats at the big-league level last season, so he'll look to find his stroke with Daniel Murphy (finger) on the injured list, although Mark Reynolds and Ryan McMahon could wind up seeing more of those at-bats should Hampson continue to struggle.